September 12th 1979 is a date that many Pietro Mennea‘s fans would certainly remember. The Italian athletics champion made his greatest record in Mexico City, at the 200 metres Universiade final. Pietro hit 19 seconds and 72 cents which remained unchallenged for 17 years, when Michael Johnson finally beat Pietro.

Pietro Paolo Mennea will always be one of the greatest Italian champions in athletics. He was born in 1952 in a very humble family and – since his childhood – he stood out for his great talent as a sprinter.